A key reason is that the animals on pasture have the opportunity to select feed or feed parts that are more digestible. The first growth in particular offers the opportunity for food selection due to the high proportion of stems - to a much greater extent than the subsequent growths. Accordingly, MANUSCH et al. (1993) found a clear superiority of grazing, especially during the first growth. This was not so clearly pronounced in the subsequent growths. However, experiences and results of the research project BAL 12 01/98 (influence of pasture or stable housing on green fodder intake) also showed that climatic effects (particularly high daytime temperatures) influence the feed intake of pasture cows. The result is fluctuations in nutrient supply, milk yield and milk ingredients, which also lead to negative economic results. This fact is one reason why dairy cows are kept on pasture in decline. Night grazing could be one way to reduce the negative influence of high daytime temperatures on feed intake.

The aim of the project was to investigate the factors influencing the forage intake of dairy cows during day or night grazing. It should be examined whether night grazing can achieve improved and more consistent feed intake compared to day grazing. In order to also compare the day or To enable night grazing for green feeding when kept in stables, a third of the experimental animals were also kept in the stable and provided with green fodder accordingly. In addition, the influences on grazing behavior were also examined.